"I advise you not to initiate the refining process. This profound matter needs too much consideration. I can't risk your well-being..."
Due to the lack of priceless pills, Yoichi indicated his own conundrum in front of them, shaking his head in helplessness. Understanding the situation at hand, Orochimaru and Tsunade nodded in acknowledgment.
"I see... Oh well, I guess I should be patient about it." At first, Jiraiya felt a little bit dejected until he recovered in an instant, cheerful and optimistic as ever.
"Wow... I never believed you had those good qualities in you." Tsunade huffed, glancing at Jiraiya with pity.
"What does that mean?! Don't slander me! I'm not like you who waste lots of money!" In retaliation, Jiraiya mocked Tsunade's reckless gambling habits and immediately started running away with his jesting remarks.
"You are a cowardly pervert! Get back here!" Tsunade's face darkened, chasing Jiraiya in the forest with full force, incredibly exasperated.
On the side, Yoichi and Orochimaru exchanged glances with each other.
In the progress of Martial Arts, the three were exceptionally talented in that aspect. Coupled with the help given by Yoichi and their efforts bore to a fruition, in just one and a half months, these 3 gifted but special individuals soared through the sky in refinement of proficiency as well as realm advancement.
If that could be compared to Yoichi, it was like the gaping chasm between heaven and hell. Yoichi took months just to accomplish Great Success in the Heavenly Demon Posture.
However, in his defense, he had been fighting for his life in those arduous months in Amegakure. In contrast, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru were in this serene environment without any threats to their lives.
I should be happy for them. They managed to withstand hardships, after all.
Anyhow, Yoichi realized his faults and shortcomings. Instead of bitching around about the massive disparity between him and the three, he felt like that was the cycle of life as always.
And life is unfair, regardless of the differences between the two parties.
"What are you thinking about?" Tsunade, who came back with Jiraiya's black-and-blue state, noticed Yoichi's pondering expression.
"No no, it's nothing. By the way, are you also nearing the blood-boiling juncture?" Interrupted in his thoughts, Yoichi waved his hands frequently before he subtly changed the subject.
"I think so... I assume I will be the first one to complete it until this pervert, somehow manages to get ahead of me!" Tsunade's competitive spirit surged forth and lashed her irritation at Jiraiya.
"If you are envious of my capability, just say so. I'm simply that talented and I couldn't do anything about it." Hearing Jiraiya's sarcastic remarks made Tsunade feel ingratiated and smacked his head again.
"Don't act high and mighty in front of me! Do you want another beating again?!" At this point, Tsunade was truly incensed and didn't hold back anymore.
While the two began to quarrel for the nth time, Orochimaru glanced in the sky with a hint of annoyance in his eyes and immediately walked out of the field, minding his own business.
Till then, Yoichi smiled bitterly and meddled in the brawl. For a while, the two continuously threw verbal insults at each other until Yoichi's mediation stopped them from constantly clashing like water and grease.
Soon, the three followed suit and went into the classroom as both of them had childish grievances with each other.
...
...
...
Konoha Year 18, Mid June.
"6 months... Time really flies by."
During these months, Yoichi along with the future Sannin practiced diligently with a few concessions. Of course, these three blessed children also had to practice Chakra-based techniques since they were truly talented regardless of having Martial Arts or not.
Occasionally, Yoichi visited the Uchiha Compound on his weekends which made Kohaku feel delighted. In these deliberate drops by, he learned some of the secret techniques mostly about the visual prowess of Sharingan.
Among the Sharingan knowledge that he gradually understood, Yoichi's usage of his Sharingan felt superficial and primitive. Instead of the basic enhanced perception, Yoichi realized the Chakra Sight and Attention Control.
Chakra Sight perceived someone's Chakra flow but it wasn't that notable compared to the Hyūga's Byakugan.
On the other hand, Attention Control employed the other pupils within the Sharingan to fixate on multiple targets.
With that being said, the research of the Uchiha Clan about their lineage of Sharingan was truly comprehensive and intricate right from the get-go.
However, Yoichi hasn't visited his own family at all, not even once. In his defense, 6 months was too short for his mother to let go of her traumatic past. Rather than being a nuisance in their lives, Yoichi took his time to strengthen himself in the meantime.
[Heavenly Demon Posture: (Perfection) 48/1000] (+31)
[Mountain Crushing Fist: (Small Success) 250/300] (+66)
[Lightning Spear Thrust: (Small Success) 247/300] (+79)
[Phantom Steps: (Small Success) 290/300] (+55)
[Secret Technique: Face Changing (Entry) 89/100] (+33)
[Tickets: 1 Prismatic, 0 Gold, 7 Silver.]
On the other hand, Yoichi's progress literally took a nose dive in the concrete without any resources.
Regardless, his secret technique was on the brink of a breakthrough by using the ointment until it had been totally depleted.
"Now is the time to pull!" Yoichi's face lit up in excitement after the severe drought in his proficiency progress.
Currently at his home, Yoichi's magical tickets unhurriedly materialized in his hand, gleaming in silvery sheen.
[Do you wish to draw for (Silver Roulette)?]
Gladly!
In his wish, the bottomless abyss abruptly sucked the tickets into nothingness while Yoichi's perception began to drastically shift to his deeper consciousness.
「Silver Roulette」
[Aged Herbs] (30 P)
[Miscellaneous Item]
[Demonic Bone Forging Pill] (30 P)
[...]
"Give me something good!" In his mind, the rational idea was to save the tickets for a greater probability of winning useful resources. Sadly, it was unlikely that it had a pity system built within the wheel of fortune.
[Drawing...]
[Congratulations on winning (Qi Blood Pills)!]
[Congratulations on winning (Introduction to Acupuncture)!]
[Congratulations on winning (Blood Ganoderma Ointment)!]
[Congratulations on winning (Blood Ganoderma Ointment)!]
[Congratulations on winning (Qi Blood Pills)!]
[Congratulations on winning (Qi Blood Pills)!]
[Congratulations on winning (Qi Blood Pills)!]
"Holy shit! Jackpot! Hahaha!"
Filled with excitement and thrill in his fortunate rewards, Yoichi's soul shook and returned to reality with the prizes on the ground as if they were visually glittering in Yoichi's current eyesight.
"I–I just can't believe what happened. Three consecutive pills and the second in a row Ointments! If that's not luck, then it must be something's not right here..."
To his speechlessness, he collected the valuable items from the ground as his mouth curled upward, revealing a beaming smile on his face.
It took quite a while before Yoichi cooled down from the adrenaline rush and noticed a small booklet among his winning prizes.
[Introduction to Acupuncture]
—Entry Level use of Acupuncture! In this book, the reader can figure out acupuncture points within the human anatomy as well as how to use them and promote healing benefits in each meridian.
I guess Tsunade could potentially learn more about this booklet and amplify her status as the greatest medical shinobi in the world!
After reading the description, Yoichi's first impression of the technique was of Tsunade's later status in her life.
"I'll give it to her later on... For now, I'll head out to the class and perhaps put a thought in their mind that it's time."
Soon, Yoichi went outside and slowly savored the intense light amidst the summer heat and lower humidity.
________________
(Current Progress)
[Realm: Skin Refining Stage] (Jade Skin)
[Heavenly Demon Posture: (Perfection) 48/1000]
[Mountain Crushing Fist: (Small Success) 250/300]
[Lightning Spear Thrust: (Small Success) 247/300]
[Phantom Steps: (Small Success) 290/300]
[Secret Technique: Face Changing (Entry) 89/100]
[Tickets: 1 Prismatic, 0 Gold, 0 Silver.]
「NEW!」
[Qi Blood Pills] * 4
[Blood Ganoderma Ointment] * 2
[Introduction to Acupuncture]
____________
Shoutout to TwinLoongs, blazebr5144, and doomslayer24 for the Power Stones! Thank you seniors, I'll make sure I'm going to improve more in my Writing Dao, benefactor!
Thanks for reading the chapters and bookmarking the novel! See ya! XDD!